More then ten years ago the people of Illinois chose me to be their
United States Senator following a difficult Democratic primary fight and
vigorous general election. Three years ago I was confirmed by the
Senate and given the opportunity to serve my country as Ambassador to New
Zealand and Samoa.

Since my return home, many friends, supporters, and citizens have welcomed
me and encouraged me to run for the Senate seat now held without distinction
by Peter Fitzgerald. However I am convinced, that I can serve my country
at this time by taking up new challenges to provide vision and leadership
at this critical point in our nation's history. I therefore will
not be a candidate for election to the United States Senate.

I am proud to say that as a Senator, I provided national leadership
in education, and started an important debate about repairing our crumbling
schools, and brought to Illinois the nation's first high school military
academy. I was selected the first female member of the Senate Finance
committee, and so participated in crafting tax policy that restored the
interest deduction on college loans, that gave ethanol, an Illinois energy
product, a market boost, that helped widows receive pension benefits, that
encouraged retirement saving, and that expanded opportunity for the poorest
citizens to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit. I was the sponsor
of the important brownfields' tax law, that assists environmental remediation.
As a member of the Banking Committee, I sponsored the creation of the dollar
coin, which memorializes the contributions of women of color to this nation.
As a member of the Judiciary committee, I authorized the Park Service's
historic preservation of the Underground Railroad. The list of bills
I sponsored and passed is long and extensive, and it is matched by a comparable
list of the actual funding of Illinois projects I fought for and delivered.

I would gladly put my record of accomplishment as Senator up against
the shockingly anemic and nonproductive service of the incumbent, Peter
Fitzgerald. Members of the Illinois delegation from his own party
have observed how little he has actually done for our state. Illinois
can do better.

Fortunately, the current field of Democratic primary candidates is comprised
of quality individuals and that number is likely to grow and the public
debate will be enriched by the debate among them. I encourage the
candidates to maintain that elevated level of discussion, so richly deserved
by the citizens of Illinois. I hope these stellar candidates will
leave negative tactics to other teams.

It will not serve the eventual goal of winning the general election
to engage in a campaign that leaves the Democratic primary winner a weak
opponent to a well-financed incumbent.

I remain passionate about the issues and concerns of the people of Illinois
and public service is important to me. In this time of insecurity and disharmony,
I believe everyone in Illinois has a duty to do the best we can to serve
the public interest. My years as a legislator in Springfield and
as Cook County Recorder of Deeds before my term as U S Senator convinced
me that elected office is an effective and honorable path to that service.

In politics, as in life, it is more constructive to go forward.
Teaching law at our venerable DePaul University, serving on local and national
boards, speaking before individuals seeking a new start and grip on livelihood
and life, have all been rewarding during the period since my return from
the ambassadorship. an I am enthusiastic as I consider additional venues
for my public service and the challenges ahead.

Elective office is an honor and a privilege that carries with it the
most serious of obligations and responsibilities. I am eternally
grateful to and humbled by the honor the people of this great state have
given me in times past. That gratitude will ever be the wellspring
of such service as I can be to the people of Illinois.